Written answers

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Department of Health

Information and Communications Technology

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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566. To ask the Minister for Health the number of computers in the HSE that still use an operating system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/19]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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567. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will not be forced to make additional premium payments to a company (details supplied) once support for an operating system expires in January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44701/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 567 together.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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568. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE have a plan in place to protect themselves in the event of a malware attack or security risks as a result of the failure to upgrade computers from an operating system (details supplied) in his Department and agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44702/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As part of our HQ move in 2018, my Department updated its standard operating system to Windows 10.

There are currently only 4 devices using the Windows 7 operating system. Two of these are virtual machines running within Windows 10 devices. The other two devices, required for our telephony switch, are not connected to my Department's network.

My Department is actively engaging to replace the Windows 7 clients in question before the operating system reaches end of support.

In addition to this, my Department implements a multi-layered approach to cyber security and to protecting our ICT systems, data and infrastructure. This includes preventative controls like firewalls, anti-virus and endpoint protection alongside an advanced network intrusion detection system. Software vulnerabilities are managed by maintaining up-to-date versions.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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569. To ask the Minister for Health the number of computers in his Department that still use an operating system (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44713/19]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department uses Windows 10 as its standard operating system.

There are currently only 4 devices using the Windows 7 operating system. Two of these are virtual machines running within Windows 10 devices. The other two devices, required for our telephony switch, are not connected to my Department's network.

Device Purpose Comment
2 Windows 7 clients Software required for Telephony Switch The application currently only runs on Windows 7. This is a shared service provided by another Government Department. My Department is engaging with our colleagues to address this situation before Windows 7 reaches end of support.
2 Windows 7 clients Virtual Machines used to access bespoke software The application in question currently only runs on Windows 7. My Department is actively engaging to address this issue before Windows 7 reaches end of support

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